As each payroll is processed, we debit the required payroll taxes that apply—we then pay and file taxes and forms.
If adjustments are made that affect the amount of taxes owed (after payrolls have already processed, or forms filed), you may be liable to pay more to federal or state agencies.
To properly account for the changes and calculate tax differences, we run a “tax reconciliation” payroll to make sure the correct tax amounts have been paid and reported to each agency. When these types of payrolls are processed, you may see that:
- We'll need to debit your company for tax amounts owed based on the updated information, or;
- We'll be crediting (refunding) your company for taxes that may have been overpaid (if we're still holding on to the funds).
If your company has multiple bank accounts set up, we'll debit or credit the "default" bank account on file.
Tax reconciliation causes
Some tax reconciliation payrolls happen automatically as a result of changes to your account, or on a quarterly basis (to correct potential tax discrepancies ahead of filing). Other times, they may be run by our team, as needed, as a response to one of the situations below.
-
State unemployment rate change: This occurs when your State Unemployment Insurance (SUI) rate changes for the current quarter due to reasons specified by the state unemployment department.
- This debit typically happens at the end of the quarter.
-
FUTA credit reduction states: This occurs if you're an employer in a credit reduction state, and a higher tax is due on federal Form 940.
- This debit typically happens at the end of the year.
-
Non-Gusto payrolls: When you add or remove a non-Gusto payroll, it may impact how previous payrolls should've been taxed. If additional taxes are owed, we'll debit your account and send the tax amounts to the applicable agencies.
-
Work/home location changes: If your company or an employee has a change in work or home location, you may be liable to pay more to the federal and state agencies.
-
Benefit adjustments: Changes to benefits can also change taxes owed.
-
Exemptions: Adding or removing a tax exemption can result in an increase or decrease in taxes owed.
View your tax reconciliation debit(s)
- Click the Reports section.
- Scroll to find the “Tax Reconciliation History” report and click View.
- Under the “Actions” column, click View details next to the tax reconciliation payroll you want to view.
To download the summary of a specific reconciliation, scroll to the bottom-right corner of the reconciliation details page and click Download.
Cancel the debit for a tax reconciliation payroll
If you plan to make the tax payments associated with the tax reconciliation payroll outside of Gusto (directly to the agency), you can cancel the Gusto debit. Canceling the debit does not cancel the amount owed or the payroll reporting of the amount.
This option is only available until we've initiated the debit.
- Click the Reports section.
- Scroll to find the "Tax Reconciliation History" report and click View.
- Under the “Actions” column, click View details next to the tax reconciliation payroll you want to view.
- On the top-tight of the page, click Cancel debit.
- By clicking Yes, cancel debit, you understand that you'll be responsible for making these tax payments yourself to the relevant agencies. Any penalties, interest, over/underpayments, or notices will be your company's responsibility.
- Click Yes, cancel debit.
As a reminder, you'll only be able to cancel the entire debit—if you need to cancel specific parts of it, or the tax reconciliation looks wrong, contact us from the Support section of your account.
Tax reconciliation email(s) and next steps
Email notifications are sent when a tax reconciliation payroll results in a debit greater than $5.00.
The email will notify you of the factors that impacted the tax reconciliation, the adjustment period, the last four digits of the bank account that will be debited, the debit date, any applicable taxes, and the total debit amount.
- The debit typically occurs a few business days after you receive the email.
In certain cases, you may receive an email about a refund from Gusto—we'll let you know if there is any action required on your end, like reimbursing employees for overpaid taxes.